5 French Restaurants for Snail’s Day

24th May 2016

There’s a day for everything in the food and drink world, and low and behold, Snail’s Day descends on us this week. The French delicacy is rather an acquired taste, but one The Handbook most definitely enjoys. And it’s best enjoyed at some of the capital’s best French restaurants, known for serving rich, hearty dishes with a touch of elegance and grace. Here’s our guide on where to go for the slippery little suckers:

L'Escargot

Fine French dining

The name and logo of this restaurant are quite literally ‘The Snail’, so naturally, it’s one of the best dishes on the dining room’s menu. Go for Sunday brunch between 11am to 4pm for their ‘all you can eat’ offer, chooding dishes from the ‘buffet’ – think vienoisserie, salads and cheeses; the ‘kitchen’ – hot dishes such as French toast and eggs Florentine; and the ‘crepe station’ – do you really need us to explain this one? Of course escargots take pride of place on the menu, serving half a dozen as the ultimate pre-brunch for the table.

Where: 48 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 4EF
Website: http://www.lescargot.co.uk

Le Garrick

Restaurant and wine bar

Here, the dishes on the menu are unashamedly French, many made with recipes that have been passed down generation through generation. Sitting allongside classic starters of moules marinieres, traditional homemade onion soup and fondue de Vacherine, Le Garrick’s Burgundy snails are cooked in a creamy garlic and parsley butter. The Handbook recommends ordering a portion of fries or a baguette to sweep up any of the remaining butter – a guilty pleasure if ever there was one!

Where: 10-12 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9BH
Website: https://www.legarrick.co.uk

Terroirs

Wine and small plates bar

At Terroirs, snails are served as a small plate on toast with garlic, parsley and bacon, ideal for a quick working lunch mid-week or a leisurely weekend brunch with a bottle of wine and a paper in hand. Another reason The Handbook often frequents Terroirs is for the dessert menu – lemon and frangipan tart with creme fraiche and the chocolate pot with salted caramel are perfect post-snail sweet treats.

Where: 5 William IV Street, London, WC2N 4DW
Website: http://terroirswinebar.com

The Balcon

Elegant French-meets-modern-British dining

Stunning chandeliers, spiralling staircases and a Parisian-inspired, club-style bar make The Balcon an elegant, glamorous destination for your serving of snails on Snail Day. Get dressed up and go for a decadent dinner: start with Pan-fried snails and chorizo on a bed of sweet potato puree, oloroso jus and hazelnuts before tucking into luxurious dishes like the Lobster and seafood bouillabaisse with braised fennel and rouille and Confit Gressingham duck leg with spring peas, apple and mint risotto and truffle jus.

Where: 8 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5NG
Website: http://www.thebalconlondon.com

Coq d'Argent

Sky-high dining

Famously located at 1 Poultry in the City, Coq d’Argent serves elegant French cuisine from breakfast to late night supper. Their stunning outdoor terrace and gardens are idyllic come the summer and are the perfect setting for a leisurely lunch or indulgent dinner a deux. Snails are a starter course again at Coq d’Argent and like Le Garrick, their Burgundy ‘petit gris’ snails come with a rich garlic and parsley butter. Order a dozen to share with a glass of Moet & Chandon Champagne while you soak up the sun on the terrace.

Where: No1 Poultry, London, EC2R 8EJ
Website: http://www.coqdargent.co.uk

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